Liquid Ejection Control for Crosstalk-Resistant Nozzle Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection methods face challenges in minimizing the influence of crosstalk among nozzles, leading to reduced ejection accuracy, especially when multiple nozzles are used, which requires significant storage space for correction information and decreases throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that corrects the control values for each nozzle based on the relation with other nozzles, forming a second ejection pattern different from the first to reduce crosstalk, thereby optimizing storage requirements and improving throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If correction information for all combinations of nozzle ejection presence/absence is stored, then crosstalk influence is completely corrected, but storage area required becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction process by dividing nozzles into measurement nozzles (for which correction information is stored) and non-measurement nozzles (for which correction information is calculated in real-time). This segmentation reduces the storage burden while maintaining correction capability for all nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and correction information storage only for a subset of measurement nozzles before actual ejection. The correction information for other nozzles is then derived through calculation during operation, avoiding the need to pre-store all possible correction combinations.
2Productivity
If multiple nozzles eject liquid simultaneously, then ejection efficiency is improved, but crosstalk influence increases reducing ejection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback correction by measuring actual ejection positions, calculating correction values based on measured deviations, and applying these corrections to subsequent ejections. This feedback loop compensates for crosstalk effects that occur during multi-nozzle simultaneous ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters (ejection timing, pressure) based on calculated correction values that account for crosstalk. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains ejection accuracy even when multiple nozzles operate simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If correction values are calculated for all nozzle combinations, then complete crosstalk compensation is achieved, but calculation time and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction calculation into two parts: correction values for measurement nozzles are pre-calculated and stored, while correction values for non-measurement nozzles are calculated on-demand using reference to the stored measurement nozzle corrections. This significantly reduces computation time during actual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses correction information from measurement nozzles as templates or references to derive correction information for non-measurement nozzles. Instead of independently calculating all correction values, the system copies and adapts patterns from the measured subset to the remaining nozzles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively reduces crosstalk influence, minimizing storage needs and enhancing the throughput of the liquid ejection apparatus by replacing certain ejection patterns, thus maintaining ejection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element for ejecting liquid from a nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection method includes an ejection step for ejecting liquid from a liquid ejection head to a substrate such that an ejection pattern is formed on the substrate, a step for correcting a control value for a drive unit for each ejection nozzle of the liquid ejection head on the basis of a relation with another ejection nozzle in the ejection step, and a step for performing the ejection step a plurality of times by using the corrected control value while relatively moving the liquid ejection head and the substrate such that a drop pattern constituted by a plurality of the ejection patterns is formed in an ejection region on the substrate. In the ejection step for forming a first ejection pattern, a second ejection pattern different from the first ejection pattern is formed on the substrate.